." From my earliest childhood, trip had actually consistently captivated me. I lived out in the boonies as well as the fields, so I really did not possess next-door neighbors to go as well as play with. If I had not been working, I was entrusted to my very own units, as well as commonly, I will simply be astounded by the animals and also specifically, the raptorial birds that I would view." To me, they represented a liberty of some kind or yet another. These birds and also the viewpoint they possess-- they can enjoy so much. Therefore, coming from that aspect on, I understood I desired to be associated with trip and also flying." I [delighted in] all points flight, all things spaceflight. I could not obtain good enough of it. I came to be a serious visitor, whereas in the past, I had not been much of an audience. I couldn't obtain sufficient material to read about my heroes from trip and area. They became my good example and also the road that they took involved, at some time or one more, a rather rigorous education and also devotion to accomplish well academically, actually, or even athletically. Therefore, I tossed on my own into that entire sort of way of thinking." When I was actually benefiting the Air Force, I was able to fly as well as focus on aircraft that I would certainly hope around, checking out in the journals Flying Full week and also Space Modern Technology. Listed here they are, best in front of me." ... Thus, my profession has been actually as close as achievable to that of an air travel test engineer. And afterwards, directly on the heels of being spellbinded through atmospheric trip, doing work in individual spaceflight has actually set me over the Moon.".-- Physician Donald Mendoza, Chief Designer, NASA Design & Safety And Security Facility, NASA's Ames .Picture Debt: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Have a look at a number of our other Faces of NASA.